ITTA – An Overview

ITTA – An Overview

Today Indian Tourist Transporters Association is being treated at par with all major trade associations like IATO, TAAI, FHRAI, HAI, TAFI, CII, FICCI, ASSOCHAM etc. by Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and other related Ministries in Central Government, as well as State Governments, as far as policy formation is concerned and our views, suggestions and issues are considered favourably.

First time in the history Indian Tourism, ITTA’s long standing demand for imparting training to the drivers and support staff was accepted by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India and more than 2000 drivers were given training in various subjects to improve the quality of services by Haryana Institute of Public Administration (HIPA), Gurgaon and Indian Institute of Tourism & Travel Management (IITTM), NOIDA. Certificates were issued jointly by ITTA and these Institutes to the drivers after completion of one week training under Capacity Building Scheme.

To add our strength and put forward our points views to the Government in a much stronger way, ITTA took initiative in the formation of Federation of Associations in Indian Tourism & Hospitality (FAITH), which the apex body to represent the entire tourism industry in the country.

Being an ITTA member, they will get a platform to resolve their business related issues like complaints against suppliers, non-payment of dues by clients and similar issues, apart from taking up their issues with concerned departments for their resolution.

ITTA is organizing regular get-togethers and Conventions to discuss the problems being faced by the members and tourist transport segment all over India and find suitable solutions. Apart from that, members will get exposure to the trade and continuous interaction with the Tourism Fraternity. ITTA has also made its presence in the facebook to effectively display our problems and interactions with various ministries and departments.

Apart from regular get-togethers and general body meetings whenever there is an important issue which affects the trade and members ITTA conducts emergency special meetings to get suggestions and views from members and act accordingly.

When the Government of Delhi made VAT applicable on Tourist Transport Operators on retrospective effect there was a crisis and hundreds of members were on the verge of shutting down their business as the demand was running several Lakhs and members were not in a position to pay the same. Collective decision was taken and the matter was challenged in the High Court and we got a positive order from Court dismissing the case filed by Enforcement Department.

Similarly issues related to the trade and members are regularly taken up with the concerned authorities and Court of Law when the survival of members is questioned and under threat.

In order to bring various problems being faced by the members at highest level and find suitable solutions for the same, ITTA organized Conventions and also celebrated its Silver Jubilee in 2013.

The First Convention was organized in the year 2002 to highlight the importance of Tourist Transport Segment in Tourism Industry and the necessity to resolve the problems being facing by the segment by Central and State Governments and Departments.

Even before the Central Government and Delhi Government planned the ways and means to tackle the transport requirement for Commonwealth Games 2010 and fulfilling the shortage of drivers, ITTA planned ahead and highlighted the necessity of imparting training to drivers for handling the situation apart from making arrangements for meeting the huge transport requirements. ITTA convened its second convention specifically to highlight the issues related to Commonwealth Games 2010. Efforts put in by ITTA was appreciated by one and all.

ITTA is advocating for hassle free movement of tourist vehicles at least for recognized tourist transport operators for several years but no action has been taken in this direction by states. Foreign tourists are complaining about delay at borders for depositing road tax and passenger tax and it is very difficult to convince them. To highlight the issue ITTA convened its third convention with the theme “India Without Barriers” to promote tourism and promote “Seamless Travel in United India”, where Ministers and senior officials from Central and State Governments were participated in the Convention.

With view to support Government’s endeavour to promote tourism and increase tourist arrivals ITTA once again took up the issue regarding necessity of enhancing capabilities and need to impart training for drivers and support staff to meet the National Tourism Target. ITTA urged the Government to promote Skill Development programmes and focusing this issue 4th ITTA Convention was held with the theme “Enhancing Capabilities: Meeting National Tourism Target”.

Silver Jubilee Celebrations ” Twenty Five Years of Distinguished Service” – 23rd October 2013 at Hotel The Grand, New Delhi:

In order to bring various issues and importance of Tourist Transport Sector to the notice of higher authorities and also to celebrate the journey of ITTA through the years, ITTA celebrated its Silver Jubilee “Twenty Five Years of Distinguished Service” with grand programmes which was attended by Central and State Ministers as well as senior officials from Central Ministries and State Governments.

ITTA News Letter:

ITTA started its own Newsletter to highlight our issues and bring to the notice of state and central governments, but we had to discontinue the same later.

Charity and Relief Works:

ITTA always believed in lending helping hands to the distressed and when the nation is going through difficult times, ITTA was always with them whether it was during the Tsunami, Earth quake in Gujarat or Nepal or Flood in Uttarakhand, ITTA extended help to the victims in whatever little way it could. While during Tsunami and Earth Quakes ITTA donated to the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund, during flood in Uttarakhand we sent several vehicles with food, medicine and other materials to the pilgrims and needy.

Workshop for Owners:

From time to time, ITTA organizes workshops for owners to educate them on latest trends, techniques to improve customer base, manage staff, as well as new rules, regulations and laws passed by various government departments.

Meetings between Dealers/Manufacturer and Members:

In order to get better rates and services, ITTA organizes meetings between dealers and manufacturers of vehicles, tyres, spare parts, insurance companies etc., where both dealers/manufacturers and members are benefited. While dealers/manufacturers get bulk orders, members get the benefits of bulk buying even for small quantity purchases.

Seminar on Vehicle Collision Avoidance System and Fleet Management System

Recently ITTA organized a Seminar on Vehicle Collision Avoidance System and Fleet Management System on 5th March 2018 at Park hotel, New Delhi presented by M/s Nippon Audiotronix Pvt. Ltd. to make members aware of the latest technologies available in this field.

Interaction Meetings

Apart from this, ITTA organize regular interaction meetings with members and suppliers to discuss issues which members are facing and find solutions to overcome the same.In it’s endeavour to reach more members and widen the scope of work, apart from EC members elected and selected from various parts of India, ITTA has appointed regional Chapter Chairmen who are responsible for interecting with members, attending meetings at various government offices and present views on behalf of ITTA.

Some of the key benefits are:

Membership to the sole national body of Tourist Transport Operators, recognized by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India.

Support and assistance to get recognition from Ministry of Tourism, Government of India.

Support and Assistance to submit entries for National Tourism Awards conferred by Ministry of Tourism, Government of India.

Take up their problems and complaints with suppliers, clients, tour operators, travel agents or even among ITTA members.

Support and assistance to recover outstanding payments from clients including government ministries and departments.

Taking up their issues with government departments including state transport authorities for their resolution.

Effectively communicating with state governments for better working environments for our members across India.

Taking up issues like creating easy payment gateways by State Transport Departments for payment of taxes and fees. Government of Uttar Pradesh was the first state to accept our request and started their e-payment gateway.

Access to car manufacturers and dealers, tyre dealers, insurance companies etc. through ITTA for better service and price.

Training to drivers and support staff under Capacity Building Scheme to enhance their working skills and capability.

Create/develop training infrastructure by ITTA for training for new drivers and back office staff.

Regular circulars regarding changes in the tax structures, new taxes, new policies and industry updates.

Better co-ordination and build-up trust among members for growth of business.

Sharing information among members regarding companies black-listed for non-payment of dues, workshops and dealers providing bad services, employees terminated for playing fraud etc. to safeguard the interest of members.

Giving an opportunity to members to participate in charity works during natural calamity.

Workshops for employers by experts to manage their business more professionally.

Sharing information about vehicles and accessories which are excellent for the growth of business as well as products which are not suitable for taxi operation.

There are several other benefits available for members when they join the family of ITTA.